Auburn raptor center presenting Football, Fans and Feathers show on Fridays before home football games

Published: September 04, 2018

Mitch Emmons
| College of Veterinary Medicine

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One of Auburn University’s most popular fall programs returns to offer fans the opportunity to see a raptor show and flight demonstration—the Southeastern Raptor Center’s Football, Fans and Feathers educational program will be held each Friday before home football games.

This year, seven shows will coincide with home football games, giving fans the opportunity to learn about education, conservation and rehabilitation of injured birds of prey and see them in flight.

Shows for 2018 will be held the Friday before Auburn home games on Sept. 7, 14, 21 and 28; Oct. 12; Nov. 2 and 16.

Tickets are $5 per person (children under 3 are admitted free) for the hour-long program, which begins at 4 p.m. at the center’s 350-seat Edgar B. Carter Educational Amphitheater, located at 1350 Pratt-Carden Drive off Shug Jordan Parkway. Reservations are not required. Refreshments will be sold.

During the show hawks, falcons, eagles and other birds of prey are free-flown from towers and around the amphitheater, enabling visitors to see these raptors flying close. The programs are delivered by raptor specialist Andrew Hopkins, who is assisted by staff and volunteers of the Southeastern Raptor Center.

“Everyone’s favorite part of the presentation is at the end when we bring out several of the raptors and allow attendees to come down for an up-close look and to talk with our trainers,” Hopkins said. “We encourage people to purchase tickets in advance and to arrive early, because our amphitheater has limited seating.”

All birds used in the programs are permanent residents that are non-releasable due to prior injuries or human imprinting. The Southeastern Raptor Center is a division of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.

The center is closed to the public except for specific dates. For group private tours, or for more information about Football, Fans and Feathers, call (334) 844-6943.

The mission of the Southeastern Raptor Center is rehabilitation of injured or orphaned raptors and to educate the public about birds of prey.

Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 29,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn's commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact. Auburn's mission to educate, discover and collaborate drives its expanding impact on the world.